Below is a message from SCU President Fr. Michael Engh about the passing of Fr. Jim Reites.
Following Fr. Engh’s message are reactions and memories from the SCU community, shared on social media.
It is with profound sadness that I share that Jim Reites, S.J. passed away unexpectedly in his sleep Friday night.
Fr. Reites, who was 78 years old, was a beloved member of many, varied communities at Santa Clara University for the past 41 years. He served on the faculty of the Department of Religious Studies where he was associate professor and former department chair, and helped found the Xavier Residential Learning Community, where he served as faculty director. For more than 10 years, Fr. Reites led various student immersions to Mexico and El Salvador. Additionally, he was an associate professor in the School of Engineering, where he was a tireless and stalwart adviser to the University's three teams of competitors in the national Solar Decathlon. Most recently, he had served as adviser to students in the Tiny House competition.
His work on the Solar Decathlon, where he earned the nickname “Papa,” was honored in an NBC story segment, “Bay Area Proud,” which chronicled his path to becoming a Jesuit and his lifelong twin loves of theology and science.
His joyful and active presence will be greatly missed at the Jesuit community, where he has lived for the four decades while at SCU.
Born in New Orleans, Fr. Reites studied engineering, math, vocal and choral music, as well as classics, humanities, philosophy and theology. He earned degrees from Loyola University of Los Angeles, Immaculate Heart College, Santa Clara University and St. Louis University. He earned his STL in theology from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, and completed his STD at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and served on the Board of Trustees for Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose.
All are invited to the following services at which we will remember Fr. Reites and celebrate his very full and generous life.
Taizé Prayer Vigil for Jim Reites, S.J.
Wednesday, April 20, 9:00 p.m.
Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara University
Visitation
Thursday, April 21, 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara University
Vigil Prayer Service
Thursday, April 21, 5:00 p.m.
Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara University
Mass of Christian Burial
Thursday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.
Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara University
Rite of Committal of Ashes
Saturday, April 23, 10:00 a.m.
Santa Clara Mission Cemetery
490 Lincoln Street
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Notes of condolence may be sent to:
Jesuit Community
Santa Clara University
500 El Camino Real Santa Clara, CA 95053
Fr. Reites will be missed by countless students, alumni, colleagues and others whose lives he touched with his passion and enthusiasm. Please join me in praying for him and his family. May he rest in peace.
Sincerely, Michael E. Engh, S.J. President